A roofer who fly-tipped materials just half a mile from his home has been given a 100 hour unpaid work community order and lost his job in “a moment of stupidity” a court has heard.
Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) prosecuted Connor Litowczuk, 25, for leaving seven builders’ waste bags of slate roof tiles, cement, cement packaging, lead flashing, sealant tubes and takeaway drinks cartons at Fox Covert Lane near Barton in Fabis on April 7 this year.
Cameras caught Litowczuk dump the waste and his vehicle was later located just half a mile away at his home in Clifton where it was seized with police assistance including contents of builders’ waste bags of the same description as had been fly-tipped.
It left him without a work vehicle and later saw his sub-contracting employment end.
He pleaded guilty to a single count of contravening the Environmental Protection Act 1990 at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Monday (November 15) and is now left with a conviction he will have to declare to any future employers.
Despite living in another Council area, RBC reiterated it will always seek to prosecute any individuals wherever they reside if found fly-tipping in Rushcliffe.
In mitigation his defence solicitor stated Litowczuk was a sub-contractor but not a registered waste carrier and was carrying out roofing work, carrying the waste from a job where a skip was not provided.
In these cases ordinarily he would put the waste in a skip at his Uncle’s business premises or at a site and pay for disposal but when this was not possible he made a split second decision and a “moment of stupidity” and fly-tipped the waste on his way home the court heard.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety Cllr Rob Inglis said: “The message is clear, we will prosecute wherever possible those who break the rules and don’t take responsibility to dispose of waste legally in Rushcliffe.
“This was utterly reckless by Mr Litowczuk, dumping items, not following the right procedures and blighting a country lane in the process.
“It is unforgivable anywhere and to do so in his local area is even more disrespectful to his fellow residents and he has paid the price with the loss of his job and a criminal conviction.
“Our messages to householders is to always check anyone you use to take items away from your home is a registered waste carrier by requesting to view the appropriate Environment Agency licence.”
Litowczuk was sentenced to the community order with 100 hours unpaid work and left with a total bill of £295, including £200 costs and £95 surcharge.
